Daniel 6:10

The new decree did not deter Daniel from continuing to pray for the welfare of the city where God had sent them into exile, and for the Jews’ return from exile. That this was the subject of his praying, among other things, including thanksgiving (Daniel 6:10), seems clear since Daniel possessed a copy of Jeremiah’s prophecy (Daniel 9:2; cf. Jeremiah 29:1; Jeremiah 29:7; Jeremiah 29:10). Jeremiah had written that God had promised to hear such prayers, if they were sincere and wholehearted, to restore the fortunes of the Jews, and to re-gather them to the Promised Land (Jeremiah 29:12-14). Cyrus issued his decree allowing the Jews to return from exile in 538 B.C. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). The events of Daniel 6 must have happened just before or shortly after this great turning point in Israel’s history. The events recorded in this chapter undoubtedly played some part in Cyrus’ decision to favor the Jews. Daniel refused to pray to the king, but he willingly prayed to the king’s Sovereign.

"It is not a question of a positive sin which he will not commit, but of a positive duty which he will not omit." [Note: Driver, p. 71.]

Solomon had taught the Jews to pray to the Lord facing Jerusalem, since that is where He promised to be in a special sense for them (2 Chronicles 6:21; 2 Chronicles 6:34-39; cf. Psalms 5:7). Jesus Christ later taught that the place of worship is not as important as truly spiritual worship (John 4:20-24). Daniel’s kneeling posture, reminiscent of Solomon’s at the temple dedication, indicated his dependence on God as a supplicant. Normally the Jews stood when they prayed (cf. 1 Chronicles 23:30; Nehemiah 9; Matthew 6:5; Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11; Luke 18:13), but they kneeled (and prostrated themselves) when they felt a more urgent need (cf. 1 Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5). Praying three times a day was evidently the practice of godly Jews dating back to David, if not before then (cf. Psalms 55:16-17). The fact that his window was open evidently symbolized for Daniel that his prayers were unhindered. Windows in ancient Near Eastern cities were normally small, high, and had a lattice covering, so Daniel was probably not praying with his window open to be seen by others. [Note: Baldwin, p. 129.]

"While Daniel’s consistency of life and testimony has been evident throughout the book of Daniel, here we learn the inner secret. In spite of the pressures of being a busy executive with many demands upon his time, Daniel had retired to his house three times a day to offer his prayers for the peace of Jerusalem as well as for his personal needs. This was not the act of a person courting martyrdom but the continuation of a faithful ministry in prayer which had characterized his long life." [Note: Walvoord, p. 138.]

"It was this prayer-fellowship with Yahweh that had safeguarded Daniel from the corrupting influences of Babylonian culture." [Note: Archer, "Daniel," p. 79.]

"It is a common observation that those who have no regular habits of prayer very seldom do much praying. It is well for God’s people purposefully and deliberately to set aside and faithfully adhere to a definite prayer schedule. Prayer is thus recognized as a [sic] important part of the Christian life and given the place which it deserves." [Note: D. Edmond Hiebert, Working with God: Scriptural Studies in Intercession, p. 110.]

"In times of testing believers need to remain faithful to God. Sometimes this will require:

• Wisdom to seek a creative compromise that enables the believer to meet society’s expectations without violating his or her beliefs (Daniel 1:8-14).

• Courage to be willing to stand up for one’s beliefs when no compromise is possible (Daniel 3:15-18).

• Personal discipline to develop a lifestyle of faithfulness so the right response to a test will come ’naturally’ (Daniel 6:10)." [Note: Dyer, in The Old . . ., p. 703.]